Michael Moore and our Board of Directors presented an array of awards tonight to this year’s amazingly talent class of TCFF filmmakers and guests. Read the list of all of our Founders Award winners and come back for the announcement of our Audience Award Winners on Tuesday, August 4.

Still thinking about volunteering? Or mulling over taking on some additional shifts? Check out these volunteer related updates and perks!

We are in awe of our amazing team of volunteers. We aren’t kidding when we say that this festival absolutely would not be possible without you! Even if you have time for one more shift, please sign up – we need you! If you have a few hours today, here are some Shifts That Need Some Love:

In case you’re wondering, SWAG is an eclectic collection of objects we’ve collected from our travels, our sponsors, our friends, and the festival store. Each SWAG coupon you receive can be redeemed for one of these unique items at our Volunteer Party on Monday, August 3 at 6 pm.

Volunteer Party

-We want to thank you, our hard working and dedicated team, for volunteering at our Volunteer Party on Monday, August 3 – 6-9 pm. Share stories about your favorite festival moments and enjoy food and beverages on us. Free with your volunteer credential on the lawn at the Village of Grand Traverse Commons.

Please accept our most sincere thanks for getting the festival off to such an auspicious start. Stay hydrated, protect your skin, have fun, and keep making this an amazing festival!

“From This Day Forward,” a documentary by Petoskey native Sharon Shattuck, is an exploration of her father’s transition after coming out as transgender and her family’s journey toward acceptance. It is above all a love story, a touching and intimate portrayal of a family that stuck together and the Northern Michigan town they live in.

We were able to speak with Sharon about her filmmaking process, and what insight she gained into her father’s own story while making the film.

When did you know that this was a film you wanted to make? Which of your parents did you first approach about making the film, and did they have any reservations about it?

It’s been a long journey. I knew that I wanted to make this film back when I was in Journalism school. My undergrad was in Botany, I was at the University of Michigan and then I volunteered in Panama with the Smithsonian Institute, and then I did some work at the Field Museum in Chicago assisting a Tropical Botanist. At some point, I wanted to use my communication skills and my art skills more. I started making short projects about transgender people in New York City. And I was profiling different people, and was happy to be working in that area, and talking to people about their experience, and I was inching towards wanting to make this film.

But I assumed my parents wouldn’t let me make this movie. They’re very private; they’re not looking to be activists. They live in a small town in Northern Michigan and don’t want the exposure. So I didn’t even talk to them about it for years, and just worked on other people’s projects. Eventually, I asked my dad if I could make a short piece for The New York Times Op-Docs video. And Dad said “sure,” so I started interviewing Trisha, my dad, who it turned out was really comfortable talking about everything. And that’s when I thought it could be a longer topic, but I had to really run it by my parents and it took a few years of me interviewing my dad and not really making it clear that I wanted to make a feature film. Just sort of running it by them and asking “how do you feel about this and could I interview you?” At first my mom said “no.” For like a year, my mom just didn’t want to talk to me, she’s so shy and I don’t think she wanted to be on camera. I think after awhile, after seeing how comfortable Trisha was with it and how it was a good thing – we were talking about things we hadn’t talked about before, I think my mom came around. And when she finally sat down with me I was so nervous… But it was fine, I told my parents they could always tell me if there’s something you don’t want to talk about. They never did, they never said “stop talking” or “don’t ask that question” or “turn off the camera.” They were really open.
How much of your parents’ story, your father’s specifically, did you know going into this project?

I didn’t know that much. I think when I was younger I wasn’t ready or willing to put myself in Trisha’s shoes. I was struggling so much with getting by in high school and middle school, but I just didn’t have the maturity to understand where Trisha was coming from so I didn’t ask that many questions. I didn’t even realize – the whole painting thing being a diary, that was completely new to me and it makes so much sense now, but the idea that all of these personal events were tied up in the paintings, I had no idea. And I feel like so much of Trisha’s personality is in those paintings, and there was a huge part of her that I didn’t understand.

Do you think growing up in a household where your father’s art was such a crucial part of her expression, that this influenced you to follow your passion in filmmaking?

Yeah! It’s funny, I’ve always been, I’ve always felt like I was more of my mom’s daughter in that I was always pursing science for a long time, and until grad school when I went towards the documentary side, that was the first time where I really was like “oh, I can be an artist too!” And now what I’m trying to do, I do a lot of communication of science, so this film is a little outside of my normal wheelhouse. But I love focusing on personalities and people, and so even if it’s science-based I’m trying to focus on interesting stories.

The film paints a very intimate portrait of your family. To what extent did you decide to focus on your family alone, compared to feeling any obligation to represent the transgender community as a whole?

That’s a good question because a lot of kids of LBGT families, the kids feel this pressure to show that everything is fine. And it is fine, you know, we’re just like any other family in so many ways. A lot of the time we don’t want to talk about anything that’s negative at all because there’s so much debate about whether LGBT people can even have kids that we want to be like “we’re great and everything’s completely perfect!” and it is a little difficult to bring up some issues that aren’t completely perfect. I really struggled with that movie, there were earlier cuts where I didn’t touch on anything that was sad or dark, and in the end I worked really hard with my editor Frederick Shanahan and producer Martha Shane and we came to an agreement that it’s better to include that stuff, it makes you understand what life is like inside a real family, in a more real way than the glossy superficial portrait. But it’s difficult because you don’t want to give anybody any ammunition against LGBT families. I don’t think that anybody who sees the whole movie would ever feel like they could use that as ammunition, but it’s always a concern. Read More →

It’s that time of year again –less than 24 hours until the Opening Night Movie officially kicks off the 2015 Traverse City Film Festival!

To celebrate, here are 24 facts, activities, and more about the 11th annual TCFF:

Take a look at the future of storytelling with The Woz, right here at the InsideOut Gallery. Walk in anytime between 12 noon and 9 pm, Wednesday through Saturday, to experience games and interactive media projects beyond the typical screen–for free!

Have some fun with fellow film lovers after the shows? Take a look at our great lineup of parties here!

Our wonderful group of volunteers is what makes the e ntire festival possible. There are always shifts available, so help us out and have some fun and get great perks in the process.

Of course, movies are not just for adults. The under-12 crowd loves our Kids Fest, with great movies for just $1, free popcorn, and plenty of great activities at our lawn party following the screenings at Lars Hockstad Wednesday – Saturday.

Also family friendly, we sought out the best new movies for the generation currently coming of age with our selection of PG #Tween.

Heard the hype about the growing Northern Michigan food scene? Experience it firsthand with The Sidebar: Food on Film, enjoying small bites while listening in on candid discussion with stars of the food scene.

It’s back! Informal discussions follow select screenings of the films in our Cinema Salon After the movies, come to The Patio on the bay in Clinch Park to talk with other film-going enthusiasts.

The Buzz @ InsideOut Gallery is home to FREE films all day, ever day. Grab your free tickets and enjoy a great movie or special event – this one’s on us!

Set sail on the Nauti-Cat, the largest sailing catamaran on the Great Lakes to see Movies on a Boat, screening under the stars on the Grand Traverse Bay.

Keep the fun going after the screenings with Movies on Tap. Join TCFF staff, filmmakers, and volunteers at these afterparties, starting at 7 pm nightly.

Grab a blanket and join us for another excellent lineup of movies at the Open Space, watching some of Hollywood’s most beloved films on a 65-foot screen on the Grand Traverse Bay. And the best part – it’s free!

We have a number of great guests in town, like Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of the beloved Charlie Chaplin; Kathryn Altman, wife of the legendary filmmaker Robert Altman; and B-movie legend Roger Corman, who will be accepting this year’s Michigan Filmmaker Award.

Our guest list keeps growing, with over 120 film professionals in attendance. Just recently, we’ve added Megan Delaney, producer of “The Wolfpack,”as well as subjects Govinda, Narayana, and Mukunda Angulo to talk about one of this year’s most popular docs.

Our pre-show content is the best and biggest around, with over 80 live musical acts performing before screenings, on a bayfront music stage, and at parties. Take a look here.

Don’t forget – nothing is ever sold out at the TCFF! If a show is listed as “standby only,” a standby ticket line will form one hour before the screening, and a few available seats will open up to those who wait!

“Just Great Movies” is the phrase you’ve heard from us from day 1 as a festival over a decade ago, and it’s what we’ve strived for every time. So take a chance on a film – you won’t be disappointed.

We are thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite TCFF fixtures, movie-aficionado and comedian Doug Benson. Don’t miss a live taping of his wildly popular Doug Loves Movies Podcast (Wednesday 9 pm, Old Town Playhouse), or join us for “The Benson Movie Interruption” of “Speed” (Saturday 12 midnight, State Theatre) and “Top Gun” (Thursday 9 pm, Old Town Playhouse) – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Trust us.

The TCFFFilm School returns to Northwestern Michigan College’s Scholars Hall this year, for another round of classes where our filmmaking experts show aspiring students how it’s done. We recommend “Indie Darling Bob Byington’s Guide to Filmmaking,” where you’ll hear from one of our favorite award-winning writer/directors. And all classes are only $5.

Get your morning started listening to our free daily Film Panels, 9:30 am at the City Opera House. We’ll have a great lineup of filmmakers and industry professionals from across the globe talking cinema with each other and the audience. Even better, it’s free and open to the public. Don’t miss Saturday’s Comedy Panel, the one that you’ll be talking about all year-round.

If it seems like you can’t watch enough movies because there are only so many hours in the day, our shorts programs are perfect for you. The documentary shorts program “Character Study” is a staff favorite, featuring “Body Team 12” producer Bryn Mooser in person, and “Amanda F***ing Plamer” director Ondi Timoner via Skype.

We love Michigan. You love Michigan. What better way to show our affection for the Great Lakes State than showcasing films that are close to home? Made by filmmakers around the state or about subjects in familiar territory, check out great cinema with “From This Day Forward,” “T-Rex,” “20 Years of Madness,” and “A Courtship.”

We want to be clear – our festival could not exist without our amazing team of sponsors, patrons, and volunteers. Whether it’s watching movies or helping to usher a film, every year, your dedication to our shared passion is what keeps the Traverse City Film Festival going. We cannot say thank you enough. Let’s make TCFF 11 the best year yet!

Katy Gwizdala is a Michigan native who currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. You can find her arguing with friends, colleagues, and her cat about all things pop culture. Follow on Twitter @katygwizdala.

As you know, a lot of amazing and awe-inspiring things go into making the festival the magical event it is today. Nothing is quite as impressive as the sudden transformation of some of our venues into state-of-the art movie theaters. Check out these amazing timelapses by our assistant operations director Mark Hubert!

They’ve been working all year to bring you the very best films out there, and now, with the festival only days away, the TCFF staff share what they’re personally most excited for you to check out at this year’s fest.

HaemooI love action/adventure that keeps me on the edge of my seat, so this beautifully made, sometimes funny, and always intense movie about people on a boat who get into a lot of trouble is one of my favorites of the fest. It’s an exhilarating viewing experience — not for the faint of heart. (It’s “hey-moo.”) – Deb Lake, Executive Director

Breaking a Monster
Even if you’re someone who could care less about heavy metal music (aka someone like me), there’s no way you can watch this fascinating documentary and not be amazed and enthralled by Unlocking the Truth — the unbelievably badass tween metal sensations poised to make an indelible mark on the music industry. Plus, I just really enjoy seeing talented people being awesome and awesome is what you’ll get when Unlocking the Truth hits the stage live from the State Theatre. – Meg Weichman, Creative Director

A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story
Nothing speaks to my soul more than inspirational personal stories. That’s why I’m so thrilled to have such an amazingly wonderful and powerful woman at this year’s festival! Lizzie Velasquez shared her story with the world and wowed us all with her Tedx talk last year, covering her rare congenital disease, how she’s overcome bullying, and her life today as a motivational speaker (and in my eyes, a role model to all ages). If you haven’t watched it, take 13 minutes of your day and you’ll be convinced you want to see the entire film. – Susan Fisher, Business Director

Shorts: WTF
To me, watching a shorts program is like a condensed version of the overall festival experience – instead of watching 10 films over the course of a week, you can watch just as many creative and thought-provoking shorts in just 90 minutes. And this program truly has some of the best films of the year in it, including two top award winners from Sundance; the latest from indie animation legend Don Hertzfeld; and of course “Kung Fury,” a totally off-the-wall send up of 80s action movies. Do yourself a favor check ’em out! – Ian Hollander, Film Department Director